WEST SPRINGFIELD – A few defensive miscues and a cold Monday night at the plate proved to be a bad combination for Greenfield Post 81.

The visitors committed three errors that led to three runs in the third inning, and managed just five hits on the night in a 6-4 loss to West Springfield 207 in an American Legion Senior Division contest at West Springfield Middle School.

“Losses happen, and we’re still very early in the season,” Post 81 skipper Julian Diamond said. “We’re still figuring out what works and what doesn’t work for us.”

Greenfield (2-1), which lost for the first time this summer, fell into a 3-0 hole when West Springfield (1-1) scored three in the third thanks in part to three Post 81 errors. 

The club rallied with a three-spot in the top of the fifth to tie the game. Luc Belhumeur got the rally started when he beat out a bang-bang play at first base with one out, and he scored the first Post 81 run of the night after David Carey followed with a booming triple to left field on a first-pitch breaking ball.

Ethan Quinn kept the line moving with an RBI double to plate Carey, and Quinn eventually scored on a first and third delayed steal that saw brother Jason Quinn (walk) successfully engage a rundown between first and second that allowed Ethan to touch home and make it 3-3.

West Side answered with three runs in the bottom of the fifth however, as the hosts connected on three straight hits to open the frame against Greenfield lefty Tyler Podolski. Jack Graney, who was 3-for-3 in the No. 7 spot for the home team, added an RBI single later in the inning to make it a 6-3 game.

Post 81 again rode the legs of Belhumeur to jump-start a rally in the top of the seventh. The Pioneer product opened the seventh with a bunt single, moved to second on a ground out then stole third base. The throw down sailed into left field, enabling Belhumeur to head home and make it a 6-4 game.

Ethan Quinn was hit by a pitch and Jason Quinn singled to put the tying runs on base, but West Side reliever Ryan Rossmeisel induced a fielder’s choice and a fly out to left field to nail down Post 207’s first victory of 2023.

“I think the bats were a little cold tonight,” admitted Diamond. “I have no doubt we’ll hit the ball better moving forward, and I expect to see us get back to it very quickly.”

Podolski went the distance for Post 81, striking out five and walking three while allowing seven hits.

John Marchefka paced Greenfield’s offense with two hits. Carey walked twice in addition to his RBI triple.

Post 81 is back in action Wednesday night at Vets Field when it hosts Wilbraham Post 286 No. 1 at 7 p.m.

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